The Bullock County Historical Society, founded in 1975, realized after a few years that funds were needed to stretch the budget for various projects: archiving cemetery records, repairing the Log Cabin Museum and the Pauley Jail, publishing World War II records, etc. Thus in 1980, the Historical Society held its first Chunnenuggee Fair.

The name Chunnenuggee (pronounced chun-neh-nug-gee) was chosen because of its historical references. Chunnenuggee is an American Indian name for the "long, high ridge" that runs approximately from northeast Bullock County down through southwest Bullock County.

Chunnenuggee was also the name for a settlement about five miles northeast of Union Springs, out on the Peachburg Road, that existed back in the 1830's to the 1860's. The Chunnenuggee area was renowned for its fairs that celebrated horticultural advancements and also included delicious cakes, foods and crafts such as handmade quilts.

Although the modern day Chunnenuggee Fair is a nod to the past, its roots are in the present. Fair Day includes a juried Fine Arts and Crafts show, live entertainment from local and regional singers and bands, the Historical Society's made-from-scratch Cake Sale, children's games and rides, and local food vendors.